NAACP PRESIDENT DEMANDS COMPENSATION

[RIFLEMAN]

Just a few hours after I made the prediction in a thread in the Campfire, I watched an interview of the leader of the NAACP who demanded that the people affected by Katrina receive more than $7 billion (the amount the 9/11 families recieved) as compensation for their loss. He said that this should be the very first priority of Congress.

I didn't agree with the monetary settlement being given to the 9/11 families, and I do not think the Katrina families should receive a dime either. Private entities can give all the money they want, but the federal government should not be in the business of providing compensation of this type. Low interest or federally guaranteed loans, housing subsidies or other similiar endeavors should be the limits of philanthropy the federal government engages in.

Anyone else besides me think this is a ridiculous idea?

[Atwater]

Yes. It is ridiculous. Somehow this tragedy has been characterized by many in this country as politically motivated and racially imbalanced. Randy Rhodes of Air America has stated that a vast right wing conspiracy intentionally trapped thousands of African Americans in NO for genocidal purposes.

Where was the NAACP when katrina was bearing down on NO? This organization can mobilize thousands if it feels a protest is in order. Does anyone recall hearing about NAACP caravans evacuating people prior to the disaster? Perhaps they were part of the conspiracy.

[Papa Load]

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I didn&#39;t agree with the monetary settlement being given to the 9/11 families, and I do not think the Katrina families should receive a dime either.[/b]

Well put. Tragedies befall good people everyday who are not compensated by the state, why should this be any different?

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Anyone else besides me think this is a ridiculous idea?[/b]

I&#39;m not afraid to say it; YES, this is RIDICULOUS.
Now does that make me a crap spewing racist, or fiscally conservative? If only there were an omniscient presence here that could pass judgement.

[JDC]

Aren&#39;t their welfare checks compensation enough?

[swampy tim]

I&#39;m not sure I like the way this seems to be shaping up, the federal responce that is. It appears that the feds will put up enough money to rebuild everything in the city. I don&#39;t think the gobment should be in the buisiness of replacing uninsured private property. Low intest loans, infrastucture, temporary disaster releif, sure but private property no. It seems that this policy will encourage people to move to potential disaster zones with the hope of a future payout. I&#39;m not so sure that N.O. should even be re-built as a place for people to live. It seems a nescisary location for commerce and industry but not for habitation. If/when Boston&#39;s "Big Dig" collapses I&#39;ll have the same opinion. S/T

[Colusaduckhunter]

I was listening to Bill Handel this morning and he stated that Alaska was the #3 recipient of pork barrel projects. One recent pork project is a plan to build a bridge across the Nakanek River (I&#39;ve been there...great fishing!!), so that 23 kids don&#39;t have to take a 2 minute float plane to the school across the river. This bridge will cost somewhere in the $100M+ range after EPA studies, design and construction.

I&#39;m thinking that perhaps rather than rebuild New Orleans in its current location because it is below sea level and a recurrence of last weeks events are highly probable...rather we should relocate New Orleans and its denizens to Alaska!!!

The gooberment can pop for parkas and long johns. The folks are on their own for building their own igloos though!

In response to Rifleman&#39;s question, I believe the Fed should provide low interest loans and folks that are uninsured can amend the prior 3 years tax returns, and all tax returns into perpetuity, until the extraordinary loss is consumed.

Giving cold hard cash to the victims of natural, and other disasters, is a very dangerous slippery slope and sets a very dangerous precedent. This was evidenced during 9/11 when the Oklahoma bombing victims&#39; and their families discovered that the 9/11 victims&#39; and their families were set for a "BIG" payday.

Like everything the government does...if they continue in this business they will have to keep raising the bar higher and higher every disaster to appease the nati....I mean....victims.

Just my two cents&#39; worth!